Finished: My Traditions Kentucky Rifle kit

[SharpStick]

It's beautiful. 
Makes me want to take my Traditions kit rifle apart and start over.
But my limited skills will never match what you've done.
I'll have to settle for it shooting straight.

[JB67]

Very nice!! 

Thanks!

[JB67]

Hey, I like that Powder Horn as well 

Thanks. A local clubmember made it and had it for sale at my 1st (and so far only) BP event. He was asking $50, I had $45 cash, and he thankfully took it. I like having historically inspired items, especially when they're handmade.

[JB67]

Nicest Traditions kit I've ever seen! Good job👍

Thanks! I wanted to see what I could do, and maybe inspire others to look beyond a simple kit and get creative.

[JB67]

It's beautiful. 
Makes me want to take my Traditions kit rifle apart and start over.
But my limited skills will never match what you've done.
I'll have to settle for it shooting straight.

Thank you. I don't think of myself as skilled, just determined. I've had some experience with sheet metal (I made a few medieval fighting helmets and did brass chasing for some drinking horns), and have worked with models off and on for much of my 52 years. I do a lot of reading (thank God for the internet!) to study styles and techniques, then adapt to my skills and tools. The leaf on the top of the wrist, for example, was about as ornate as I dare try. Simple done well is better than fancy done mediocre. My biggest challenge is to not rush myself but go slowly and methodically.

My advice to anyone is study, practice techniques, think the process through, and execute methodically. Half the work is mental.

[Ohio Joe]

Thanks! I wanted to see what I could do, and maybe inspire others to look beyond a simple kit and get creative.

I think you very well may have achieved that. 

[Nessmuk]

I am simply amazed.
 

[Winter Hawk]

Absolutely stunning! I wish my patch box on the Hodgepodge rifle came out half as well!

~Kees~

[mark/wi]

Very nice, something to be proud of. Thanks for posting it. Mark/WI

[JB67]

Got some range time in. Shot 25 yds offhand, 50 grains Triple 7, spitlubed 1.5" sq cotton cleaning patch for the ball patch. Started with Hornady .490 swaged balls.

The first shot went low, knew that as soon as I pulled the trigger. Next few were on. Then I tried a couple shots with cast balls from the Log Cabin Shop, aimed at lower left diamond. I loaded them sprue up. Didn't seem as accurate. Then another Hornady, that was better. Swabbed the barrel.  Two more cast balls upper left, hit a little wide. Back to Hornady, upper right, spot on. I wonder if the sprue is messing up accuracy.
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Then I went back to 50 yds. Two were barely on paper. 3rd was 3" from center. I have to work on holding steady, but I'm happy.
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[Ohio Joe]

I take it you were shooting offhand? If so, and this is the first time out with your new build (which once again is very nice) I would suggest shooting from a bench in the rest position with your fore hand under the stock where you would normally hold when shooting offhand.

Get some pillow ticking - .017 to .020 "anywhere in that neighborhood" (all cotton of course) and cut some patches into 1 inch squares (your 1-1/2" patches are way to big) and just spit patch them at this point. [make sure you wash the pillow ticking first to get the sizing out - and it will also tighten up the cotton fiber]...

You got some good potential going their IMHO! 

[JB67]

I take it you were shooting offhand? If so, and this is the first time out with your new build (which once again is very nice) I would suggest shooting from a bench in the rest position with your fore hand under the stock where you would normally hold when shooting offhand.

Get some pillow ticking - .017 to .020 "anywhere in that neighborhood" (all cotton of course) and cut some patches into 1 inch squares (your 1-1/2" patches are way to big) and just spit patch them at this point. [make sure you wash the pillow ticking first to get the sizing out - and it will also tighten up the cotton fiber]...

You got some good potential going their IMHO! 

I did some test shots a couple weeks ago from a rest, it hit dead center. This was all offhand, in part to learn how to hold it steady.

I will look into ticking or similar, but thinner. I have some commercial pre-lubed ticking patches that are. 018 thick and very difficult to start and drive home. The cleaning patches are .012. The large size certainly could be a factor. The material does bunch up a bit.

Thanks for the advice, and the compliments!